Todd Gurley Trade Rumors: Rams RB Linked to Talks; LA 'May Be Ready to Move On'

The NFL was already shocked by the Houston Texans reportedly trading DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, but another star offensive player may be on the trade block as well—Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley. 

According to Mike Silver of the NFL Network, Gurley's "name is coming up in trade talks" and the Rams "may be ready to move on."

Gurley, 25, was one of the NFL's most dominant weapons in the 2017-18 seasons, accumulating 3,924 yards from scrimmage and 40 total touchdowns. Those were monster numbers, but injuries limited him in 2019, when he played in 15 games but rushed only 223 times for 857 yards and caught 31 passes for 207 yards. 

His rushing attempts and yards were the lowest marks of his career and his receptions and receiving yards were his lowest totals since his rookie year. 

He did accumulate 14 total touchdowns, though even that was a regression from the 19 touchdowns he notched in 2017 and the 21 scores he posted in 2018.

Gurley's health issues—namely regarding his knee—were a major story leading into the 2019 season, after he was barely utilized in the NFC Championship Game or Super Bowl in the prior postseason. Those concerns were exacerbated when his trainer, Travelle Gaines, said over the summer there was an "arthritic component" to the knee issues Gurley's had throughout his playing career.

It seemed fairly obvious last year that the Rams had him on a snap count, hoping to limit his overall touches, even if they didn't publicly admit so during the season. That made it fair to question if the Rams might look to move on from Gurley at some point.

As Silver reported in December:

"Gurley's high salary and declining production may make him a cap casualty, and other key players could be traded or released as the organization builds around Goff on offense and star defensive tackle Aaron Donald on defense.

"'I don't know exactly what's going to happen,' one Rams veteran said Saturday night, 'but I'd expect some major changes around here in the next few months.'"

Gurley has a cap hit of $17.2 million in 2020 and $13.2 million in 2021 before the Rams have a potential out in his contract, though they'd absorb $4.2 million in dead cap for exercising it. Otherwise, Gurley would still be under contract through the 2023 campaign. 

If the Rams fear his decline from 2019 is a trend, and not an aberration, seeking a trade now would make sense. Other teams may have the same concerns, however, potentially limiting his market.